Farmers in Haryana to Receive ₹2000 per Acre Subsidy for Cotton Cultivation

The Haryana Agriculture Department has opened applications for the 2024-25 fiscal year to promote cotton cultivation and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) spraying. Under this scheme, the Haryana government will provide a subsidy of ₹2000 per acre for BT cotton sowing. Farmers interested in availing of this benefit must apply for the Haryana Cotton Subsidy Scheme before September 30, 2024. Applications can be submitted online via the official website: (https://agriharyana.gov.in).

Cotton holds significant importance among Kharif cash crops in Haryana. Currently, cotton is cultivated in 17 districts of the state, with BT hybrid varieties being primarily used. To achieve higher yields, farmers are advised to sow high-quality seeds at the optimal time, apply appropriate fertilizers, and adopt timely plant protection measures.

Best Practices for BT Cotton Sowing and Yield Improvement:

The ideal sowing period for BT cotton is from April 15 to May 30. For best results, maintain a row spacing of 67.5 cm and a plant spacing of 60 cm, or alternatively, a row spacing of 100 cm and plant spacing of 45 cm can be followed. Cotton sown in east-to-west rows yields better compared to cotton sown in north-to-south rows, making this an effective method for enhancing production.
Two to three weeks after sowing, farmers should prune the plants to remove any diseased, pest-affected, or weak plants, ensuring only one healthy plant per spot. This pruning should be completed before the first irrigation. For detailed guidance on fertilizers, weeding, irrigation, harvesting, and pest management, farmers can refer to the recommendations published by Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, for Kharif crops.

Objectives of the Scheme:

Spraying of micronutrients on cotton crops.
Integrated pest management for cotton crops.

Coverage Area of the Scheme:

This scheme is implemented in the cotton-producing districts of Haryana, including Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Narnaul, Faridabad, Palwal, Mewat, Gurugram, Rewari, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Panipat, Sonipat, and Kaithal.

Subsidy Details for Cotton Cultivation:

1. Farmers interested in receiving the subsidy must register on the 'Meri Fasal Mera Byora' portal.
2. After registration, farmers need to submit details of their cotton crops on the departmental portal.
3. A subsidy of 50% or up to ₹2000 per acre, whichever is lower, will be provided to farmers for micronutrient application and integrated pest management.
4. A maximum subsidy benefit for up to 2 acres per farmer will be granted.
5. To avail the subsidy, farmers must purchase the necessary materials from government, semi-government, cooperative societies, or authorized vendors, and upload the bills on the departmental portal.
6. After verification of crop areas and bills, the subsidy amount will be transferred directly to the farmers’ bank accounts.
7. For further information, farmers can contact the nearest Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department officials.

Documents Required for the Scheme:

1. PAN card
2. Candidate Reservation Certificate and Undertaking Proforma
3. FMB ID number
4. Mobile number
5. Family Identification Card and Landholding Certificate